MAT in Teaching English
This program is designed for English/Language Arts teachers to deepen their knowledge of best teaching practices and research in the discipline of English Education. Our coursework focuses on traditional and multimodal literacies and offers advanced study in instructional strategies and philosophies for teaching literature, composition, and rhetoric in a Borderlands setting. In addition, we offer courses tailored for teachers preparing to teach Dual Credit English. While credentialing is conferred by El Paso Community College, many Dual Credit teachers have prepared for credentialing while seeking an M.A.T. On the whole, our students enhance their effectiveness as educators in diverse environments, strengthen their classroom practice, and prepare themselves for leadership roles in their schools.
M.A.T. Requirements:
Core Curriculum (12 hours)
Complete the four courses in the core curriculum:
- ENGL 5339: Introduction to Secondary English
- ENGL 5341: English Studies in the Borderlands
- ENGL 5342: Digital Literacies and the Language Arts
- ENGL 5345: Writing to Learn
Electives (18 hours)
Students will take an additional 6 courses within any of the three programs in the Department of English (English Education, Literature, Rhetoric and Writing Studies) to tailor their coursework in ways that will be most useful to them. Courses outside of the department can also serve as electives with Director approval.
Exit Writing/Research Options
Students must choose one of the three following options after completing a number of courses toward the degree.
Comprehensive Examination – In addition to the above 10 courses, students take another elective, for a total of 11 courses (33 hours course work). They also take a 6-hour written comprehensive examination over an extensive reading list supplied in advance. Students choosing this alternative register for English 5394 (M.A.T. Written Examination) toward the end of their coursework.
Practicum – In addition to the above 10 courses, students take another elective, for a total of 11 courses (33 hours course work) and create a practicum, a research-based practitioner-oriented project of potential use other educators. Students choosing this alternative register for English 5393, Practicum in English Education towards the end of their coursework.
Thesis – Students need not take any courses in addition to the above 10. Writing a thesis involves creating a multi-chapter project demonstrating rigorous research skills applied to investigating some question(s) in the field of English Education. Students choosing this alternative register first for English 5398 (Thesis I) and then for English 5399 (Thesis I) towards the end of their coursework.
As a Master’s degree in English, the M.A.T. programs offers select classes to prepare educators to teach Dual-Credit courses in high schools. The M.A.T. degree is also excellent preparation for doctoral degree programs in Rhetoric and Composition or Education.